“It’s a complete success!” Bud cried enthusiastically as Tom and his father emerged from the building and joined the onlookers.
“Oh, Tom, I’m so proud of you,” Phyl said, her eyes shining.
Mrs. Swift glowed with happiness as she looked at her husband and son.
In impressive speeches, the government officials lauded the Swifts and pointed out the tremendous advances in medicine, industry, and national defense which the products of the pile would make possible.
“Can’t we see Ator?” Sandy asked.
Tom explained sadly that the now-radioactive robot must never leave the concrete-shielded pile. He would remain forever in the plant which he had helped to save.
“I reckon he’s happy there,” Chow reasoned. “It’s home to him.” The cook grinned broadly. “An” he can do his own cookin’ on the ‘oven’!”
“What’s your next brain child going to be, Tom?” Bud asked with a grin.
Tom smiled and shrugged his shoulders, unaware at the moment that it would be his Atomic Earth Blaster and would lead him into one of the strangest adventures of his life.
THE END